[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 4 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S253-S254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 1999 BUDGET PROPOSAL

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to commend the President of the 
United States on his budget submission to Congress. For the first time 
since 1971, a President has proposed a balanced budget. I hope and 
believe that this Congress will be the first in almost 30 years, since 
1969, to enact a balanced budget without sacrificing our educational, 
environmental, health care and law enforcement priorities.
  The President noted in his State of the Union speech last week, two 
historic pieces of legislation have reduced the deficit to the point 
where a balanced budget is now within our grasp: The Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1993 and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. I am 
proud to have voted for both of these historic laws.
  When President Clinton took office, the deficit was at its highest 
point ever: $290 billion. But he decided to tackle the runaway deficits 
of previous administrations. In 1993, the Senate and House of 
Representatives passed President Clinton's economic plan by the 
slimmest of margins and without a single Republican vote.
  That was a tough vote around here, but it was the right thing to do. 
I am proud that I voted for it. It reduced the deficit by 75 percent. 
Unfortunately, we were forced to make this historic deficit correction 
without the help of a single Republican vote in either the House or the 
Senate.
  Last year, Democrats and Republicans together made additional deficit 
reduction progress by passing the bipartisan budget agreement to reach 
balance by 2002.
  That package included net savings of more than $900 billion over the 
next ten years. It also secured and strengthened Medicare for our 
seniors and made the largest investment ever in education for our 
children.
  Today, the deficit is at its lowest dollar figure since 1970--$5 
billion--and at its lowest point as a percentage of the economy in 30 
years. This past year, the Gross Domestic Product grew at its highest 
rate since 1988, unemployment fell to a 24-year low, and inflation 
dropped to levels last seen in the 1960s. Our economy is in the best 
shape in a generation in no small part because of these two historic 
deficit reduction measures.
  I am most proud that the President and Congress can achieve a 
balanced budget this year without demeaning the fundamental charter of 
our democracy, the Constitution of the United States. The proposed 
constitutional amendment to require a so-called balanced budget did not 
reduce the deficit by a single dollar or move us one inch closer to 
achieving those goals. Rather, it was a political exercise serving only 
to delay and distract--a display in bumper sticker politics.
  I hope the Senate will learn from this lesson and abandon such 
destructive efforts for illusionary quick-fixes by constitutional 
amendment for the rest of this session and into the future.
  Instead, Congress working with the President can do the job today.
  Hard choices and bipartisan cooperation are what is needed. We cannot 
legislate political courage and responsibility. No amendment to the 
Constitution can supply the people's representatives with these 
essential attributes.
  Political courage has been an essential ingredient that has helped us 
achieve remarkable deficit reduction over the past six years. We have 
succeeded in reducing the deficit every year of the past six. We have 
cut the deficit by more than 98 percent in that time while pursuing 
sound economic and strong fiscal policies.
  Now we need to stay the course and work in a bipartisan way to 
finally balance the budget. We should now be focusing our attention and 
energies on the strenuous tasks of building a working consensus on 
budget priorities and achieving agreement on how to balance the budget.
  Within a balanced budget, we must reach consensus on strong support 
for education funding as one of our top priorities. As I watched my 
colleagues during the State of the Union address, I noticed that those 
with school-aged children cheered the loudest at the President's 
continuing commitment to keep education a national priority. A national 
commitment to education, however, is not just for the students and 
parents of today; it is for all of us.
  Only a few decades ago, our students were taught that the countries 
blessed with the most natural resources held the keys to the highest 
standards of living and the most vibrant economic growth. Today, it is 
the countries that invest in their ``human capital'' that have the 
greatest success in the global economy.
  I applaud the President for investing in our people by making a 
higher priority of education at all levels--from an expansion of Head 
Start, to access to affordable quality child care, to more teachers in 
the classroom, to literacy training, to lower fees for college students 
using loans.
  The only way to keep our nation strong and successful in the global 
marketplace is through an educated workforce. To do this children must 
understand the basics, the three R's. We need to make sure that 
teachers are trained and have access to continuing training education. 
Only after this foundation is built will computers and other 
technologies in the classroom help students reach their full potential.
  Technology in the classroom can be a great leveler. On the Internet 
students can see Michelangelo's work on ceiling of the Sistine Chapel 
in wonderful detail. Students in the United States can ``chat'' with 
students in Japan or South America or even their U.S. senator about 
their daily lives to better understand one another.
  Another great leveler is to ensure that students of all abilities 
have access to quality education. To this end, I am committed to 
increasing federal funding for the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act (IDEA). More than two decades ago the federal government 
made a commitment to local school districts to provide assistance in 
this funding, and the federal government has not lived up to its end of 
the bargain. I am disappointed that the budget did not include an 
increase for this program. I am committed to working with my colleagues 
as we move through the budget and appropriations process to remedy this 
shortfall.
  I also find room for improvement with the Administration's proposal 
for Amtrak. Last year was a critical one for our national passenger 
railroad. Included in the Taxpayer's Relief Act was a one-time, $2.3 
billion infusion of capital, intended to modernize Amtrak and enable it 
to reap sufficient revenues to become self-sufficient. Congress also 
passed a far-reaching Amtrak Reform Bill, which will refine the way 
Amtrak does business for the 21st Century, while making sure that its 
employees are fairly treated. I am disappointed that the Administration 
has proposed using a portion of these capital funds, instead, for 
Amtrak's day-to-day operating costs. This would undermine Amtrak's 
modernization plan and all of the hard work we did last year on these 
proposals. As always, I will work with my colleagues on the 
Appropriations Committee to try to find ways to ensure that Amtrak 
receives the resources it needs.
  Mr. President, on balance, the President has proposed a budget that 
reflects priorities that are good for the nation and that will find 
strong support by the American people. I am delighted that the 
President and Congress can achieve a balanced budget this year while 
serving the needs of the nation. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues on both sides of the aisle to enact the first balanced 
budget in a generation.

[[Page S254]]

  Mr. President, I see nobody else seeking recognition, so I suggest 
the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________